The West Virginia Legislature is delaying its Monday activities because of the storm expected to hit the region over the weekend.
The House of Delegates, which normally has morning meetings and then 11 a.m. floor sessions, is bumping the floor session to 1:30 p.m. Monday. Most committee meetings have been delayed until Tuesday at this point, although there are a few exceptions.
“It is our intention that no meetings be held on Monday morning. Please monitor your email communication over the weekend in the event that weather conditions warrant a further delay of proceedings on Monday,” House Speaker Roger Hanshaw, R-Clay, told delegates on Friday.
“We will notify all members of the House, as well as keep our website up to date as we can keep it. So please monitor weather conditions appropriately.”
A nationwide storm is expected to hit West Virginia on Saturday afternoon with snow, ice and freezing temperatures lasting through Monday morning.
The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for most of the entire state with 9 to 12 inches of snow possible in some areas. The ice could result in power outages.
Some lawmakers who typically commute to Charleston from their communities have been talking about staying in the area for the duration of the storm to ensure their ability to get to the Capitol.
The state Senate announced a 2 p.m. Monday start time. A few committee meetings are set to convene after that.
Senator Joey Garcia, who led the Friday morning prayer in the Senate, made reference to the impending storm and wished for safe conditions.
“Ahead of the expected weather that we’re expecting this week, please keep everyone safe in their travels to and from the Capitol,” said Garcia, D-Marion.
Senator Rupie Phillips, in a portion of the floor session for lawmakers to discuss topics of their choosing, raised up a chunk of coal to praise it as an energy source to help heat people’s homes during the conditions to come.
“I think everybody has been paying attention that they’re calling for a big storm to come. Very cold temperatures. Minus zero,” said Phillips, R-Logan.
“There’s one thing in this country that has always been there on the front line when it’s needed. Sometimes people don’t support it. But you know what, coal will support you in a time of need. These next few days, coal’s what’s going to save this country from freezing to death again and again.”